The Center for the Tokyo Raids and War Damage — Local services in Tokyo

The memorial museum has a variety of historical materials collected, including the map of the bombing of Tokyo by the US Army, the number of casualties in various districts, and the multiple wrecks left behind by the bombing, which is a frightening sight to see.

The site of the first wave of U.S. air strikes was in the present-day Koto district, where I lived for a short time in Tokyo this time. Before 1945, this area was called Joto-ku, and it was not until after World War II that the name was changed to Koto-ku. Since most of the houses in Tokyo at that time were made of wood, many Tokyo residents were buried in a fire when the US Army dropped millions of tons of incendiary bombs in the middle of the night. Some were burned alive while crammed on bridges during the escape, while some mothers became charred corpses carrying their young children on their backs... The strategic targets of the U.S. military were not military installations but civilians, homes, and schools.

In history books, the Bombing of Tokyo is always skimmed over, and most people do not look into the controversies behind this historic event. Japan invaded its neighbors in World War II, slaughtered civilians, and even forced colonists to pledge allegiance to the Imperial Army. But was the U.S. indiscriminate incendiary attack on civilians in Tokyo a demonstration of "justice"? History should not be the propaganda of the victors but the truth that should be tried to be restored from different perspectives.

Finally, my friend uggested that the museum hould include the history of Curtis LeMay, the mastermind of the Tokyo air raid, in the memorial. In December 1964, LeMay was awarded the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun, and in the 1968 U.S. presidential election, he was the Independent Party's nominee for Vice President George Wallace. Wallace was considered a racist representative of the...

I don't think anyone would question that importance of such a museum for younger people to learn about the suffering of their Great or Great Great-Grandparents and begin to learn of the horrors of war. I'm older, however so my review is from the perspective of a 62 year old American who had certain questions about certain topics that just do not get coverage in normal history books such as when do people begin to rebel against a government, how did teenagers react to being given sticks and told they were to fight invaders with guns, bombs and artillary?. It seemed to be in line with how I think I would have responded and I'm looking forward to looking at closer now that I am back in the US.

Oh, and they have English speakers at the center who know the history very well if you wish to interact. I would hate to see the number of visitors go up too much as I like the personal interaction but it is an important place and anyone with the remotest interest in history should visit...

More than a museum, but also a center for education and current events on aerial bombardment. Being the "Center of the Tokyo Raid and War Damages", the museum is very thorough and equitable covering in detail the philosophy, implementation, and outcomes of bombing across the many conflicts of the current and prior centuries. If one takes time to visit Hiroshima, then this museum is important to visit as well. The museum puts Hiroshima into context within the greater WWII efforts by nations to bomb each other into submission... including air raids more devastating than even the atomic bombings.

The museum is compact, but rich with documentation, photos, art, and artifacts. As mentioned elsewhere, almost all content is in Japanese with no side-by-side English translation. But don't let that deter a visit. The docents are very friendly and helpful, and the museum is easy to navigate. There is an elevator, so the entire facility is accessible. Easy access to...